The Left Coaster: Comment on Only A Third Think Alito Should Vote Against Roe

Comments: Only A Third Think Alito Should Vote Against Roe

Being a guy, I don't have any legal standing to worry about the endurance of Roe. But the right to privacy found in Roe, derived in turn from Griswold, is just one part of a whole constellation of rights that the Court recognized between the mid-60s and the mid-70s, all of which are targeted by the Alitos of this world. [I'm not entirely sure Roberts is as devoted to the rollback process as Little Nino or Michael Luttig, but it's certainly possible.]

The abortion right is the most controversial, so that's the one they publicize, but the principles that Alito et al. will use to undo the abortion right have significantly wider application. The average person will have dramatically fewer rights in a dozen years if we do nothing. S/he may still have far fewer rights, even if we fight our asses off; but at least we will have fought.

Posted by dj moonbat at October 31, 2005 08:59 PM

Specter said today that Alito informed him that he supports Griswold and considers it "good law". If that's a truthful representation of Alito's opinion, I think it is unlikely that he will undo the whole constellation of freedoms that emerged out of Griswold. Roe might be in jeopardy, but not necessarily Lawrence, for example.

Posted by Elrod at October 31, 2005 10:06 PM

I find it hard to believe that 20% believe that overturning Roe "doesn't matter". Sure, Roe is complicated, but who could possibly believe that it "doesn't matter"? 20% is an awful lot.

Posted by Elrod at October 31, 2005 10:08 PM

Let them try to overturn Roe, I am telling they would not dare. If Roe goes away, the right have nothing else to base their campaign on. Let them. Don't fall for the traps Rove and Company want us to fall into. Let them.

Posted by john at October 31, 2005 10:54 PM

John, I agree. The bait has already been thrown down and the Republicans hope like hell that the Democrats come in for the feed. Stick to the larger issues of rights to privacy.

Posted by Judith at October 31, 2005 11:57 PM

Elrod, bet that 20% doesn't vote either.

Posted by Judith at November 1, 2005 12:16 AM

"They wouldn't dare...."

Wewll, we've heard that sentiment expressed on about everything the Bush camp has done, haven't we?

They wouldn't dare start a pre-emptive war.
(They wouldn't dare to fight a war over oil.)
They wouldn't dare try to undermine Social Security.
They wouldn't dare steal an election.
They wouldn't dare impugn the patriotism of an opposition war hero.
They wouldn't dare ignore the Geneva Convention accords on torture.
They wouldn't dare send soldiers into harm's way without proper armor and equipment.

They do dare, and they do it in your face, arrogantly, unapologetically, full speed ahead. And they will continue to dare. They are unappeasable, and like all fanatics, singlemindedly convinced of their absolute right to dare to do any damn thing they think will accomplish their goals.

So by thinking they "wouldn't dare" we consistently underestimate them --only to wake up the next day to find out to our horror that we have let them do it to us again.

Posted by degustibus at November 1, 2005 12:19 AM

Degustibus, you are so right. In fact, it seems Bush thrieves on doing things that have the quality of a dare to it. Review the past five years with this man, and you will see that he not only dares, he relishes the challange to dare.

Posted by Judith at November 1, 2005 12:46 AM

Three years ago, Alito upheld a lower court's dismissal of a lawsuit against Vanguard Group. Yet Alito had hundreds of thousands of dollars invested in Vanguard funds at the time. While he later recused himself from further involvement in the case, the issue could be used to block the nomination. From CNN Money

Thanks Muck

Posted by Judith at November 1, 2005 01:03 AM

Boycott Dominos Pizza and call their corporate headquarters at 800-468-4726 and make the demand that George W Bush withdraw the nomination of Samuel Alito and nominate a moderate to the Supreme Court or that you will boycott Dominos pizza. Dominos pizza CEO David Brandon supports the antiabortion movement. Pass the word.

It appears time for an economic revolt against the companies that fund George W Bush and the Republican Party. Go call and email these companies and tell them you have had enough of the actions of the Republican Party and you will not take it anymore.

http://www.hoflink.com/~dbaer/petitions.htm

Posted by buckfush at November 1, 2005 02:37 AM

DJ brings up the importiant point that the right to privacy touches every American and that is where the real battle is. Even with Alito, they couldn't overturn Roe: Dtevens, Kennedy, Souter, Ginburg and Breyer would not vote to overturn. The point is, how many other important cases without the protection of precedent currently survive 5/4 with O'Conner that will fail 5/4 with Alito?

Posted by rlp at November 1, 2005 04:31 AM

Stevens not Dtevens, it's early.

Posted by rlp at November 1, 2005 04:32 AM